CVE-2026-53261: Linux kernel · devlink: Release nested relation on devlink free
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 5.5 Medium · fixed in 6.8.0-1066.69~22.04.1 : update Linux kernel when convenient.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 12:55 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.1% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 1% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 6.8.0-1066.69~22.04.1, 6.8.0-1070.78~22.04.1, 6.8.0-1068.75~22.04.1 +38
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 25 Jun 2026
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponised: no evidence on record.
No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB
Exploited in the wildExploited: no evidence on record.
Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by Mirage: no evidence on record.
No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors
A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 26 Oct 2026.
What to do
Upgrade to a fixed release listed under Affected software.
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinuxpkg:deb/ubuntu/linux?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-awspkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-aws?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-azurepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-azure-fdepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-fde?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-gcppkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gcp?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-gkepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gke?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Check your own hosts for these packages with threat-finder (opens in a new tab), our free open-source scanner.
AI-suggested
A patch is available and fixed versions include Linux kernel releases 6.8.0-1064.67~22.04.1 and later. Users should upgrade to these fixed kernel versions or later to remediate this issue. Since this is a kernel-level vulnerability, applying the official kernel updates from the vendor is the recommended mitigation.
Description
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's devlink subsystem was fixed that addressed a memory relation release issue. The flaw occurs when devlink instances acquire nested relations before registration but fail during probe, causing a memory relation leak. This leak happens because the normal release path via devl_unregister() is bypassed. The fix ensures that any pending relations are released during devlink_free() as well. The vulnerability affects specific Linux kernel versions and has been resolved in later fixed releases.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-53261 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-53261 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/3522b21fd7e1863d0734537737bd59f1b90d0190 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/11324d52b0c63f4f202b35793c6507a575e9a689 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/3522b21fd7e1863d0734537737bd59f1b90d0190 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/927f96861f939c0b517d13ed27bf4fabbfc1cfb3 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/a9137286884703113b1c9e6403bd6d7d97b14754 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8726-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8727-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8728-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8760-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8726-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8726-3 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8800-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8760-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8728-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8726-4 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8728-3 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8903-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8905-1 (opens in a new tab)